Introduction 

We meet together this evening still very much in the Christmas season – both in the life of the world and the Church.  We are between the great holidays for Christmas and New Year and many of us are still eating our way through Christmas food and enjoying our presents, time off from work and catching up with all the TV programmes we’ve recorded to watch later!  We also meet here tonight to continue our celebrations and reflections on Christmas – the entry of God into our world as a little baby.  We feel close to God at this time of year as we reflect on his vulnerability and helplessness in that cradle and of course closer to one another as we spend time together. 

Our Scripture reading tonight is St Luke’s account of the Christmas story and focuses on the message to the shepherds.  His account reflects the faith of the Church as it was written well after Jesus’ resurrection and St Luke sees in the birth of Jesus much symbolism.  Every detail in his story serves to make a theological point.   

Luke gives the story a definite historical setting, unwittingly the Emperor Augustus becomes an unwitting agent of God by ensuring that the Messiah was born in David’s town – Bethlehem.  Jesus’ rejection from the inn anticipates his rejection by his own people later on in his life.  Mary is shown to be a caring mother, wrapping her baby up in the manger-cradle.  Her loving care reflects God’s own care.   

Since Jesus was born in poverty, it is fitting that the news of his birth was announced first to simple shepherds.  This also reflects Jesus’ concern (and St Luke’s) for the poor and lowly.  The faith of the shepherds serves as a model for future believers and their joy anticipates the blessings that will come to those who believe in Jesus, as the saviour sent by God.   

What Child is This? 

The video clip we just watched uses the powerful carol “What Child Is This” to help us reflect on all that this baby is.  We respond well to Christmas as everyone loves a baby.  Jesus is not threatening lying there in the manager, little, weak and helpless.  At Christmas he needs the love and care of Mary and Joseph and we see him at the mercy of the political powers of the day as the Holy Family flee to Egypt. 

Yet we know that this helpless baby is so much more than this.  The shepherds are told that the child is “Christ, the Lord”, the long promised Messiah.  We know from his public ministry that he was a great teacher, showing us how to love God and love each other.  His death on the cross was the atoning sacrifice for our sins and his resurrection from the dead is the seal of God’s love for us showing that we too will be raised and will live forever with him.  

This Child, this helpless babe is Our Lord and saviour and Christmas shows us the great mystery of God – a God who becomes little, weak and helpless, yet who is the maker and saviour of the world. 

So as we continue to celebrate, to watch those Christmas and New Year specials, to eat more than is good for us, and to tuck into all that chocolate – give thanks too for the babe of Bethlehem, the child sent to teach and redeem us.